ISSN 00109525, Cosmic Research, 2014, Vol. 52, No. 5, pp. 319–325. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2014. Original Russian Text © V.V. Andreyanov, N.S. Kardashev, V.V. Khartov, 2014, published in Kosmicheskie Issledovaniya, 2014, Vol. 52, No. 5, pp. 353–359. Space–Ground Radio Interferometer RadioAstron V. V. Andreyanova, N. S. Kardashevb, and V. V. Khartovb a Astrophysics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia email: [email protected] bLavochkin NPO (Science and Production Corporation), Khimki, Russia Received December 16, 2013 Abstract—The paper considers the design, features, and characteristics of the Russian space–ground very long baseline radio interferometer (VLBRI) RadioAstron. DOI: 10.1134/S0010952514050013 INTRODUCTION ferometers. In this regard, in the 1970s–1980s, the development of space–ground interferometers began In the 20th century, the exploration of the Universe [1]. These projects were widely discussed at interna spread to all ranges of electromagnetic radiation. In tional conferences. In order to prepare for the imple addition to optical astronomy, gamma, Xray, infra mentation of the first space–ground interferometer red, and radio astronomy appeared. This led to the aboard the manned space station, Salyut6 astronauts extraordinary expansion of knowledge of the Universe V. A. Lyakhov and V. V. Ryumin deployed a prototype of up to the development of the model of the Universe as the parabolic antenna of the radio telescope SRT10 a whole and understanding of the laws of the origin (with a diameter of 10 m) with a mesh reflective sur and evolution of most astronomical objects. However, face [2]. The telescope operated in bands of 12 and many of the key questions in astronomy remain 72 cm at a height of 400 km from July to August 1979. unsolved and new major challenges have arisen including the possible existence of the multicompo Based on the results of measurements by cosmic nent Universe. radio sources it was decided to design a telescope with greater surface accuracy since it was necessary to carry The progress in astronomy is closely connected out research for the shortest waves in the centimeter both with the ability to conduct research from space range or at even shorter wavelengths (greater transpar and with the advent of new technologies for develop ency of investigated sources themselves and higher res ing telescopes and techniques of radiation analysis in olution). all ranges. In April 1979, the Institute of Space Research and The main parameters that limit research in radio NPO Lavochkin began to develop technical proposals astronomy are the sensitivity and angular resolution. on the creation of a space–ground interferometer with Both of these parameters only have great prospects in a base much larger than the diameter of the Earth for space. Radio telescope sensitivity is mostly deter radio astronomy observations in the range of 1 cm to mined by the area of its antenna and receiver noise. 1m [3, 4]. Initially, the angular resolution was also limited by the antenna size; however, using the interferometric In May 1980 the Government of the Soviet Union method, this relationship has been excluded. Thus, issued a decree on the development of six unmanned the resolution came to be determined by the distance space observatories by the NPO Lavochkin together between the antennas. With the advent of the possibil with the USSR Academy of Sciences in the subse ity of signal detection in a digital form and their subse quent ten years. In 1983, the plan of launches was quent computer processing, as well as the use of very updated. In particular, AstronR (the shortest wave stable oscillators that make it possible to bind signals lengths in the centimeter range) was to be launched in recorded at different telescopes by frequency and 1987–1988 and AstronM (shorter wavelengths) was time, very long baseline interferometers (VLBI) due to be launched in 1990. appeared. By the end of the 20th century, bases of The first international meeting on the space– these systems have reached 10000 km (about the Earth ground interferometer RadioAstron was held in Mos diameter). As a result of VLBI studies, it was revealed cow on December 17–18, 1985. Major bands (1.35, that many of the most interesting astronomical objects 6.2, 18, and 92 cm) of the space radio telescope were (active galactic nuclei, quasars; neutron stars, pulsars; determined. Other parameters of the interferometer star forming regions, cosmic masers) are very compact were discussed, in particular those related to the and cannot be efficiently studied by ground base inter choice of its orbit. By the time of radical changes in the 319 320 ANDREYANOV et al. Table 1 fm 22.232 GHz 4.832 MHz 1664 MHz 324 MHz Δf 8 bands within 7 GHz 100 MHz 100 MHz 16 MHz ΔFc 32 MHz × 2 32 MHz × 2 32 MHz × 216 MHz × 2 country several, these meetings had been held. On the plane perpendicular to the direction to the source S October 21, 1991, in Pushchino near Moscow (Radio (Fig. 1). The configuration and composition of the Observatory of the Astro Space Center of FIAN) the VLBRI RadioAstron is shown in Fig. 1. It can be seen 13th international meeting took place. In 2003–2004, that its distinctive feature is the VLBRI arm from the in Pushchino, the already assembled space radiotele space radio telescope to outputs of the tracking station scope was tested on all bands, and the prototype was (TS). The SRT, as well as the GRT, receives the source presented for joint tests with the SpektrR spacecraft radiation in radioastronomical bands from the direc [5–7]. tion of S, converts it into a desired form, and transmits On July 18, 2011, the space radio telescope was it in real time over a radio link in the direction of R to successfully launched by the rocket Zenit3F with the the Earth, where it is reconstructed and stored in the upper stage Fregat–SB from the Baikonur Cosmo data logger on the TS (Fig. 2). Therefore, all of the drome. The deployment of a parabolic antenna and factors that change the input phase of the source on first tests including the single radio telescope and the way to the TS output (by time delays and frequency interferometer mode were also successfully carried out shifts) should be considered in the correlation with in 2011. Then, there were successful tests on all bands data from the GRT. Table 1 shows medium frequen of the space radio telescope, which confirmed that its cies fm of the SRT receiver tuning, bands of receiving efficiency as the largest fixed space antenna with a frequencies by input Δf and used for the correlation Δ diameter of 10 m and the largest interferometer with a processing of the video Fc. Factor 2 in the third row base of up to 350000 km. For systematic radio astron means that the radio emission can be received simul omy studies, international cooperation has been orga taneously in two circular polarizations (left and right). nized, which includes more than 30 groundbased tele As can be seen, VLBRI is a super system of synchro scopes and two data collection stations (in Pushchino, nously operating telescopes (SRT and GRT), means Russia, and in Green Bank, United States) [8], of data transmission from SRT to Earth (to the TS) http://www.asc.rssi.ru/radioastron/index.html. The and as fast as possible data delivery for the correlation International Program Committee selects applications processing. The task of the interferometer as the phase θ λ for research. system is to achieve the best resolution = /B1 in the λ The onorbit operation of this radio telescope is study of celestial objects at the selected wavelength . provided by the multifunction space platform Naviga The measured difference between radiation source tor, on which it is installed. phases reaching telescopes at the same time can be dif ferent from the purely geometrical (in vacuum) Δϕ by The preparation and conduction of research with с the presence of bad constituents ΣΔϕi. In terrestrial space–ground interferometer RadioAstron described VLBIs, the base B between GRTs does not change in the later papers are of interest for further develop during observation, and the projection of the base B1 ment in this direction (creation of the Earth–Space changes slowly because of the rotation of the Earth interferometer at shorter wavelengths and with larger and according to an established law. The clock on the bases, the Millimetron project of the Federal Space Pro GRT (usually a hydrogen clock) is periodically com gram of Russia) [9], http://asclebedev.ru/index.php. pared using GPS or UT systems; therefore, the syn The prospects of creating fixed parabolic antennas of chronization error of these clocks does not usually higher accuracy in space for operation at shorter wave exceed 10–100 ns. Data received by telescopes taken lengths down to the infrared range is also quite impor together with the current time tGRT are recorded to the tant. The creation of very large antennas and multiple loggers for delivery to the correlator and, in the VLBA element interferometers with spaceonly bases is also a system, data are transmitted over communication prospect [10, 11]. lines [12]. Thus, the measured phase difference can be different from a geometrical difference only because of 1. FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCES the clock synchronization error and the possible dif BETWEEN VLBRI AND VLBI ference of the effect on the phase of the Earth’s atmo sphere at GRT locations. In the VLBRI, the base For a single telescope, the angular resolution θ = between SRT and GRT telescopes and its projection B1 λ/D, where D is the telescope effective diameter.